On 10 October, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue held a regular press conference.  She made the announcements of President Jiang Zemin’s upcoming visit to the US and Spanish Second Deputy Prime Minister’s visit to China.  

Q: Would you please tell us the detailed agenda of President Jiang’s visit to the US?  Will he visit Washington D.C.?

A: President Jiang will visit the US from 22 to 25 October.  This visit is a major event in China-US relations.  We are convinced that through the joint efforts by the two sides, this visit will enhance the mutual understanding and mutual trust and promote the development of constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries.

Q: It is reported that the World Summit on Intellectual Property will be held in Beijing next year, and can you confirm it?  What is the main topic of this meeting?

A: The Chinese Government and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have decided to jointly host the World Summit on Intellectual Property in Beijing in April 2003.  This is the first summit meeting in WIPO’s history.  We are convinced that this meeting will help the international community to attach more importance to the protection of intellectual property rights and strengthen the cooperation in this area.  At the same time, this meeting will facilitate the international community to have a better understanding of the efforts and work by China in this regard.  At present, the relevant departments of the Chinese Government are working with WIPO to actively prepare for this important meeting due next year.

Q: Can you tell us the detailed agenda of President Jiang’s visit to the US?  Will he visit Chicago or Washington other than President Bush’s ranch?  And the President of the US National Defense University is on a visit in China and he met with Chi Haotian yesterday. Can you tell us some details?

A: As for President Jiang’s upcoming visit to the US, I very much understand your interest in it.  I have already briefed you on the general agenda of this visit.

This visit is a very important one.  The two sides attach great importance to it and are actively making preparations.

As for your second question, at the invitation of President of China’s National Defense University General Xing Shizhong, President of the US National Defense University Vice Admiral Paul Gaffney arrived in Beijing on 8 October.  General Chi Haotian, Vice Chairman of Central Military Commission, State Counselor and Defense Minister met with him. Vice Admiral Gaffney addressed China’s National Defense University and also attended a meeting in the research institute on national strategic studies.  Besides, he will head for Xi’an and Shanghai to visit army camps.      

Q: Have China and Germany reached an agreement on the case of three North Koreans entering the German school?  On Tuesday, US President Bush made a speech on Iraq, and does China view Iraq as a threat to global peace?

A: Last time, I introduced that three unidentified people entered the German School.  At present, the Chinese police are investigating the people concerned and the investigation is underway.

China’s position on the Iraqi issue has always been consistent.  Iraq should strictly and comprehensively implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and the imperative is to readmit UN weapons inspectors as soon as possible and make an objective judgement on the situation in Iraq.  We always stand for the political settlement of the Iraqi issue within the UN framework.  Several days ago, the UN and Iraq have reached consensus on the detailed arrangement of UN weapons inspectors’ return to Iraq, which we view as a positive step.  We hope that under current situation, UN weapons inspectors will be able to return to Iraq soon.

Q: Lebanon decided to pump one tenth of the disputed water resource and Israel threatened to use force against Lebanon.  What is China’s comment?  And after the Sudanese opposition forces seized part of the territory, the peace agreement of Sudan has already collapsed.  Does China plan to withdraw thousands of Chinese workers in the oil fields of Sudan?

A: On your first question, it is true that in the Middle East, water resource is very precious and the various parties attach importance to this.  We hope that the question can be properly settled.

On the second question, there are some Chinese working in Sudan, but I have not heard any events that would endanger their life security.  We hope that Sudan will maintain social stability and economic growth.

Q: During the recent summit meeting between Japan and North Korean in Pyongyang, North Korea admitted the kidnapping of 13 Japanese.  Some newspapers call it “disappearance” and “kidnapping” is only a one-sided claim by Japan.  Does China think these Japanese disappeared or were kidnapped?

A: Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi’s recent visit to DPRK has made important achievement, and the two sides decided to reopen the negotiation on the normalization of bilateral relations.  Both Japan and DPRK are China’s close neighbors, and we support the improvement of their bilateral relations, leading to its ultimate normalization.  We believe this will help maintain regional peace and stability.  We hope that the issues between Japan and DPRK can be properly settled.

Q: Do you have any latest news about China’s Middle East Special Envoy Ambassador Wang Shijie?  When will he visit the region?

A: China is very concerned about the Middle East issue.  As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China, as always, actively promotes Middle East peace process and supports all efforts that help solve Middle East question, and we have maintained cooperation with relevant parties.  Not long ago, China appointed Ambassador Wang Shijie as China’s Middle East Special Envoy and he will visit the region in due course.  If I have any details I will make it available to you.

Q: Will President Jiang’s US trip have impact on the 16th Party Congress?

A: I do not quite get your question.  I have just said President Jiang will visit the US soon and this visit is of great significance.  During this visit, President Jiang will exchange views with US President Bush and other US leaders on China-US relations and major international issues of common concern.

Q: What is the importance of President Jiang’s visit to the US in terms of international anti-terrorism campaign and the settlement of international and regional issues?

A: Recently, China-US relations have on the whole maintained a positive momentum of development.  The two sides have made new progress in the exchanges and cooperation in areas of economy, trade and anti-terrorism, which you have mentioned.  China and the US have also maintained close consultations on major international and regional issues.  We are convinced that through the joint efforts by the two sides, this visit, which is the third meeting between the two heads of state within one year will surely make positive result.

Q: Has China seen a new UN Security Council resolution on Iraq so far?  And did the US side send officials to have consultations with China on this issue?

A: Recently, China and other members of the UN Security Council have maintained close consultations on the Iraqi issue.  Actually, the relevant parties have maintained close contacts not only within the Security Council, but also through bilateral channels.  As for the new Security Council resolution, to my knowledge, up to today there hasn’t been such one yet.  But the relevant parties are having close contacts and consultations.

Several days ago, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan had a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart and when he was in Paris, he talked with US Secretary of State Powell over the phone.  On 30 September, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya had talks on Iraq in Beijing with William Ehrman, visiting Special Envoy for British Foreign Secretary.  And Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong exchanged views with US officials on Iraq during his visit in Washington.  However, the contacts and activities centered on the Iraq issue have been quite frequent.

Q: It is reported that a foreign tourist was killed today.  Can you confirm it?  Is he of English nationality?

A: I can confirm that a foreigner was killed near the Great Wall and he has an English passport with him.  At present the Chinese public security organs are looking into the case and further verifying his identity.

Q: Is President Jiang’s visit to the US a working visit or state visit?

A: President Jiang’s upcoming visit to the US is a major event in China-US relations and is of great importance for the promotion of constructive and cooperative relations between China and the US.  Both sides attach great importance to this visit and are actively preparing for it.  You may have noticed that not long ago, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong visited the US for consultations, which was to lay the groundwork for this visit.  And Senior Director for Asian Affairs of the US National Security Council, James Moriarty will also visit Beijing soon to make necessary preparations for this visit.

Thank you.